2-11/060.20 - Arson/Explosives Detail

The Special Weapons Team specialty of the arson investigator is to provide bomb squad and arson investigator support to the team.  Arson/Explosives Detail investigates cases involving the following:

• Arson;
• Bombings;
• Burglary where explosives are taken or a magazine is victimized;
• Disastrous fires;
• Explosions (caused by explosives);
• Explosives (except fireworks);
• Fires causing damage to public utility, public property, or causing personal injury;
• Fires causing damage of $7,500 or more;
• Incendiary devices;
• Illegal manufacture, sale, or possession of fully automatic weapons, heavy weapons greater than 60 caliber, and silencers;
• Illegal manufacture, sale, or possession of bombs, explosives, or destructive devices;
• Illegal manufacture of fireworks (fireworks factories); and
• Series and patterns of crimes related to any of the above.

Responsibilities of the Arson/Explosive Detail include:

• Store and dispose of found, abandoned, or surrendered explosives and explosive devices;
• Process requests to assign and stamp serial numbers on handguns and long guns;
• Collect, preserve, and analyze evidence for presentation in court;
• Act as advisors to, and instructors for, the training academy staff regarding arson/explosives training for Department personnel;
• Safe handling of large caches of illegal fireworks;
• Act as liaison and local agency member of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Nuclear Response and Electronic Counter-Measures Teams;
• Maintain a cadre of explosive and accelerant detection canines; and
• Conduct protective detection sweeps for high profile public events and visiting dignitaries.

The Arson/Explosives Detail is authorized to have an underwater diving team.